Problem # 1 Getting visitors

The number one complaint of online retailers is they are not getting enough visitors.

Many choose to get visitors same way their competitors do. Online retailers try search engine placement, pay-per-clicks, banner ads and other marketing tactics.

Banners can cost as little as $1 per 1000 views. Email lists can be as inexpensive as $30 per 10,000 names. Despite these low prices, retailers are finding that many times these tactics don't deliver enough sales to justify cost.

Problem # 2 Low conversion rates

Turning visitors into customers is second biggest problem that online retailers face. This becomes a greater problem when retailers sell items that people prefer to see and touch before buying, such as clothing.

Do you know answers to this question:

What percentage of your visitors become your customers?

That percentage is your sales conversion rate. This number is one of most overlooked and most impactful numbers in online marketing. It's overlooked because website owners often think that more visitors is route to more customers. What if their marketing is bringing lots of visitors but their website is sending them away?

Websites can send visitors away in many ways, from frustratingly slow download times to poor sales copy. Visitors in general complain of having to download plug-ins to view website and confusing navigation.

Most ecommerce businesses are getting 1-2% sales conversion. A small change in your conversion rate can have a big impact on your bottom line.

Let's say you run your numbers and find that you have a 1% conversion rate. Applying marketing know-how, you make some changes to your website that makes customers more likely to buy. Next week you test your sales conversion rate and find that it's 2%. You've doubled your sales, without spending more money marketing!

Existing businesses are struggling more, and people are losing jobs and going out on their own in droves, making competition fiercer than ever. How can they stand out and be seen - if not by good design, marketing and advertising? Online or off, good design gives credibility, visibility and consistency. It can even make economic sense, if approached strategically.

We all have heard adage that a picture is worth a thousand words. When a business is seeking higher visibility, it is often projected image that makes them memorable, hopefully in a good way. If you're competing with other companies selling same service or product, there a many things you could do set yourself apart - but FIRST you have to get customer's attention. On first impression, only differentiation between you and your competition may be your branding and image. And that is achieved with graphic design.

Good design leads to communications consistency. Studies indicate that a prospect must hear of or see your business numerous times before it will spring to mind unbidden. Having a consistent and memorable message and image can help accelerate recognition and therefore, speed up branding process.